'Young Wallander': Meet Adam Pålsson, Richard Dillane and rest of the cast of Netflix's detective series

'Young Wallander' focuses on the formative experiences — professional and personal — faced by Kurt as a recently graduated police officer in his early twenties
(Netflix)
(Netflix)

Netflix is bringing a modern-day take on the legendary Nordic noir story of detective Kurt Wallander.

'Young Wallander' is set to be a "young, edgy and modern series" that sees Henning Mankell's iconic detective Wallander investigating his gripping first case. Mankell, who is often referred to as "the father of Nordic noir", writes the intense story of a detective who has a high sense of empathy. These stories provide inspiration for the new Netflix series. Ole Endresen and Jens Jonsson are directing from a script written by Anoo Bhagavan and Benjamin Harris. 

'Young Wallander' focuses on the formative experiences — professional and personal — faced by Kurt as a recently graduated police officer in his early twenties. As he is confronted with the violence and brutality in Ystad, he must figure out how to be a good detective. 

The six-part series is set to premiere on Netflix on September 3, 2020. But before that, meet the cast. 

Adam Pålsson as Kurt Wallander

(Netflix)

Pålsson is set to play the role of a young Kurt Wallander, just out of the police academy and fresh on the field. He is thrust into the wilderness rather suddenly and finds himself grappling.

The actor has written and performed his own version of Hamlet, inspired by William Shakespeare and Heiner Müller, at Stockholms Stadsteater in 2010, a performance for which he is well known. But he is perhaps best known for his role in Jonas Gardell's 'Don't Ever Wipe Tears Without Gloves'; for 'Ted: För kärlekens skull', a 2018 biopic about the Swedish singer/songwriter Ted Gärdestad; and for a major role in the third series of 'The Bridge'. Pålsson used to be the lead singer in an indie rock group ÅR&DAR.

Richard Dillane as Superintendent Hemberg

Dillane in 'Foyle's War' (IMDb)

Playing the role of Superintendent Hemberg, Dillane gives Wallander his first ever case as a detective moving him to major crimes. The actor is best known for his work in the political thriller 'Argo' and 'Oranges and Sunshine'. He played Wernher von Braun in the BBC television docudrama 'Space Race'. His recent television work includes 'Giri/Haji', 'The Last Kingdom', 'Peaky Blinders', 'Counterpart', 'Outlander' and 'The Last Post'. 

Leanne Best as Frida Rask

Actress Leanne Best attends a preview screening of 'Film Stars Don't Die In Liverpool' at FACT on November 13, 2017, in Liverpool, England (Getty Images)

Best plays the role of Rask, Kurt's senior in the police force and an investigator on the same case as his. The actress is best known for her role as Jane Cobden in 'Ripper Street', Celia Donnelly in 'Fortitude' and the titular role in 'The Woman in Black 2: Angel of Death'. She also appeared in the sequel 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens'. More recently, the actress appeared in ITV's comedy 'Cold Feet' as Tina Reynolds.

Ellise Chappell as Mona

Ellise Chappell attends the Vanity Fair EE Rising Star BAFTAs Pre Party at The Standard on January 22, 2020, in London, England (Getty Images)

Chappell is set to play the role of Mona, Wallander's love interest. If you've read the books or watched the other Wallander shows or movies, they get married later on. It will be interesting to watch them in that pursuit though. The actress is best known for her work as Morwenna Chynoweth in 'Poldark' and as Jennifer Strange in 'The Last Dragonslayer'.  



 

GET THE BIGGEST ENTERTAINMENT STORIES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

HBO Max’s ‘Gilmore Girls’ documentary explores the show’s lasting appeal through cast interviews and never-before-seen footage.
2026-11-02T15:48:05.000Z
Emaline West is a new character who does not appear in the original Stephen King novel
2026-11-02T11:58:15.000Z
Dave Bautista, who looks unrecognizable, began weight training in September after being cast as the Norse god, following Ryan Hurst’s exit from the series
2026-11-02T09:31:15.000Z
Tovah Feldshuh addresses reports of tension on the set of ‘Nobody Wants This’ after Adam Brody’s comments on the Israel-Gaza conflict
2026-11-02T09:21:34.000Z
The HBO period drama brings two unexpected faces to its carefully recreated 1880s New York setting
2026-11-02T07:37:24.000Z
Russell, played by Jensen Ackles, left at the end of Season 3 for an undisclosed assignment
2026-11-02T06:27:59.000Z
Here's everything we know about the Christmas-meets-murder-mystery TV series
2026-11-02T06:21:38.000Z
Gladys welcomes a son in the Season 4 premiere, but a postpartum hemorrhage leads to an emergency hysterectomy that changes her future
2026-11-02T06:06:43.000Z
'Marshals' Season 2 Episode 5 is out now and it finally reveals whether Kayce survived the bomb blast after the previous cliffhanger ending
2026-11-02T04:52:10.000Z
The Apple TV drama returns after a record-breaking first season that earned six Primetime Emmy Awards
2026-11-02T04:14:27.000Z